Alloy



Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. SCHUIBERT, OF IIROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 0E ONE-HALF TO HERMAN A.

SCHUBERT, OF TROY, NEW YORK ALLOY No Drawing.

My invention relates to alloys and particularly to a new alloy of the solder type.

It is well known that solders of the ordinary type are not well adapted for the soldering of-aluminum, audit is also well known that such solders have substantially no period of plasticity between the liquid and solid state. That is, ordinary solders when heated, change very quickly from the solid. to the liquid condition, and vice versa, when cooled.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an alloy having a low melting point fairly comparable with that of ordinary half and half solder, but which will have a comparatively long period of plasticity intermediate the molten and solid states, and which will be of uniform consistency whereby it may readily be worked or shaped as may be desired. Another object is to provide a soldering alloy which is particularly adapted for aluminum, but which may be used with any material which can be tinned with ordinary half and half solder. An

other object is to provide an alloy of this type which can be used without any flux. A further object is to provide an alloy which can be made plastic at comparatively low temperatures and which will not crack upon cooling.

With these objects in view, my invention comprises the hereinafter described composition which includes, tin, zinc, antimony, lead and aluminum as alloying elements.

My alloy consists principally of zinc and tin, with from about 2.5% to about 12% antimony, lead and aluminum, in about the proportions by weight, hereinafter set forth.

The tin content may vary from about 75% to about 35%, andthe zinc content may vary from about 20% to it being understood that the tin is at the low limit of the range when the zinc is at the high limit, and vice versa. When the tin content is below about 35% and the zinc content above about 60%, the alloy becomes crystalline in character and does not spread or work well unless an extraordinary amount of heat is applied. Above tin and below about 20% zinc, the alloy lacks the desired period of plasticity Application filed August 14,1930. Serial No. 475,396.

betweenthe molten and solid condition, and it can not be built up.

The antimony content may vary from about 1% to about 4%. If antimony is incorporated above about 4%, the alloy becomes crystalline, is hard in spots, and lacks homogeneity. If less than about 1% of antimony is used, the alloy does not have the desired plastic stage between the molten and .solid condition, it liquifies rapidly, and cannot be built up.

Thelead content may vary from about 1% to about 4%, but if the content is over about 4%, the lead melts and bubbles out of the alloy bar before the other elements are melt.- ed. If the lead is below about 1%, the alloy is hard in spots and lacks homogeneity.

The aluminum content may vary from about 0.5% to about 4%.

ens quickly, and lacks the desired plasticity. On the other hand, if the aluminum content runs below about 0.5%, the alloy likewise passes quickly from the solid to the liquid state, or vice versa, and lacks plasticity.

A very satisfactory composition contains about 2% of antimony, 2% of lead, about 1% aluminum, about 57% of tin, and about 38% of zinc.

With about 2% of antimony, 2% of lead, and 1% of aluminum, or where the antimony, lead and aluminum are not all at the extreme range limits, the zinc and tin contents may be varied within the limits first given above. That is, 75% tin, and 20% zinc, with say 5% of the other elements, or 35% tin and 60% zinc with say 5% of the other elements, form desirable compositions.

If the aluminum P content runs above about 4%, the alloy hard- No flux is necessary in applying my alloy, and it is particularly adapted as afiller for cracks or holes because it may be placed, spread and smoothed for aconsiderable period before hardening. It adheres readily to aluminum without the use of any flux, and lugs have been soldered to aluminum castings, which could not be knocked off with a hammer, Without fracturing the casting.

I Small 'percentages of copper, and possibly other elements, may be added to'my alloy, but seem to have no effect, either desirable or undesirable on the composition. For example, the following analysis gives a very plastic composition having characteristics typical of my: alloy:

Per cent Sn 55.51 Zn 37.12 Sh 2.48 Gu 1.97 Pb 1.55 AL... 1.35

What "I c'laimis:

1. An alloy containing from35% to 75% of tin, from to 60% ofzinc, from 1% to 4%01 antimony, from 1% to 4%of-lead, and from 0.5% to 4% of aluminum.

2. An alloy containing as essential alloying'ingredients from 40 %ito 70% of tin, from %-to'55% of zinqmorethan 1% and less than 4% of antimony, more than 1 and less than 4% oflead, and more than 0.5% and lessthan 4% of aluminum.

'3. An alloy'eontainingas essential alloyin'g ingredients'from to 75% of tin, 'from 20% to of zinc, from 1.5% to3.5% of antimonyjfrorn 1.0% to 3.5% of lead, and from 0.-% to'3l5% of aluminum.

WILLIAM A. SCHUBERT. 

